Large Standard Deviations

We all know a person who has one extremely negative quality about them and yet still seems to get ahead. This can take many forms such as being a complete arsehole to having no people skills whatsoever. For the average person, it can often be disheartening to see these people get further and further ahead of you. Yet, if we delve a little deeper into the make up of this 'underserving' person, we can quickly see that they must have some qualities that separate them from the pack. Interestingly, when you average out their good and bad qualities, you may find that their overall abilities are only mildly above average, albeit with a much larger standard deviation compared to the average person.

If we accept this to be true, then it becomes quite easy to understand why the 'bad person' seems to get ahead so easily. Consider the following simple formula to success.

Success = risk * overall ability 

For now let's assume overall ability is constant. That is, you, the 'fair and reasonable worker' has the same overall ability as the 'asshole' that always seems to be getting ahead of you.

Now consider the economic theory that people must be amply compensatied for the risk they take on (the risk vs reward conundrum). Obviously, if you like to play it safe, you could be considered as risk adverse and conversely, if you like to gamble you could be considered as a risk taker. Essentially your level of risk aversion, will influence your potential for rewards.

This is no different to your working environment. On one hand you have yourself, the self judged, fair, calm, risk adverse, slightly above average person. On the other, you have the risk taking 'asshole' who is loud, obnoxious, inconsiderate, possibly incredibly smart, who overall is still only slightly above average. 

If we now go back to our formula, it's now hard not to see why this person seems to be always getting ahead of you.

However, before you take this post as permission to become an asshole and start taking unnecessary risks you have to remember one key thing - standard deviation.

Standard deviation in this case is the spread of personality traits or abilities you display (all things considered). In your case, the 'quieter' you are, the smaller your standard deviation is. You can therefore be quite safe in the knowledge that you will constantly achieve above average results with limited difficulty. 

Looking to our successful 'friend,' we can see that they have a huge spread which is why it may be quite easy for them to produce something way above average. Yet their biggest strength is also their biggest Achilles heel. If they are able to produce something amazing, they are just as able to produce something that is entirely shit. 

If you consider that, you should realise that their best may be better than yours. However, never forget that their shit is going to be miles worse than your version of crap (a position I would never want to be in).

The point here is to now stop resenting this person and instead start respecting the 'work game.' Every game has a certain set of rules and sometimes to win, you have to take a big risk.

I think if you can understand that, you may find that the 'underserving' person may now be more 'deserving.' You may still envy that person, but you shouldn't resentment them for taking a risk. What you should be asking yourself is the question - am I getting ample reward for the risks I've taken?

#Hanbaobao

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The Cupboard is Shut

Today I want to propose a way of explaining how we conduct ourselves.

Everyone has a cupboard which remains open whilst they care. The longer the cupboard stays open the more productive we are and the more we potentially can achieve.

However, at some point in the day, week, month, year etc, there will come a point where you just stop, snap and no longer give a f*Ck. At this point the phrase 'your cupboard is shut' is coined. By this, I mean you put all the f*cks that you once gave in a metaphorical cupboard and then shut the doors.

I find this interesting as everyone's cupboard will shut at different times. The challenge for you is to identify and understand how to reopen them. Success at reopening someone's 'cupboard' is a unique skill which will help you in the long run.

Consider the following types of people.

The Lazy Person

This lazy person's cupboard is always shut and probably has never been opened. They usually have a great ability to delegate and never take responsibility for their own actions. Unlocking this person's cupboard is a tricky task as this person is usually quite sensitive to criticism. Consider understanding what makes them tick. Find out the things that motivate them and you may find their cupboard is quite easy to unlock. Just never underestimate the value of the lazy person.

The Alpha

The alpha's cupboard is often a revolving door. It can shut the moment they've either got their way or presented their point of view. A common characteristic is the ability to always think they are right or at least think their opinion is more important. If this occurs, they often disregard everyone else's opinion. Fortunately, because the alpha's cupboard shuts so easily, it's relatively straight forward to get it to reopen. Just remember that fighting fire with fire may get you burned. However, letting the alpha scream until there's only smoke left may give you a unique opportunity to strike during a moment of weakness and smash the lock on their cupboard. Just remember, they will probably want revenge..

The Social Climber

The social climber is a very predictable self-centered individual. If you know one of these kinds of people, you will know that their cupboards only open for 'special occasions' and for short periods of time. It can often be frustrating being around this kind of person as you know when their cupboard will open and it will be for selfish reasons. As such, there's two beneficial ways to handle them. The first one is to treat them as 'toxic' and therefore distance yourself from them. The second is to leverage off their ability to be thick skinned. Use this as a unique opportunity to find out information, meet the 'right' kind of people and most importantly keep them close even if you truly resent them. After all, better the enemy you know, than the enemy you do not - GoT.

The Hard Worker

The hard worker is an interesting person, as their cupboard stays open longer than anyone else's. You may find that instead of having to unlock their cupboard, you have to get them to shut it from time to time, in order to save them from a meltdown sometime down the track. It's very easy to overlook the hard worker as they are often rather quiet and unassuming. This shouldn't make them any less important on your ring of keys. So remember to be caring as much as you are a political battler.

No matter how well you can unlock a shut cupboard, one thing is more important than anything else -  The ability to understand your own cupboard. There's a saying that you should 'get your own house in order before preaching to the choir.' I think cupboards are one such instance where this applies.

#Hanbaobao

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